Coin-opebated vending machine



Oct. 15, 1929. E. E. SEIDEL 1,731,329

COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINE- Filed July 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Mm Inuenior: I N Elmer E. Saidel,

1929- 1-: E. SEIDEL 1,731,829-

com OPERATED vmamm mcmua Filed July 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnweni'or;

ElmerESeidel Patented st. 15, 1929 UNITED STATES ELMER E. SEIDEL, OF NORRISTO'WII, PENNSYLVANIA COIN-OPERATED VENDING MACHINE Application filed July 20,

My invention relates to apparatus for de livering articles at a given price and more particularly it relates to improvements in coin operated vending machines.

5 An object of the invention is to provide relatively simple mechanism for this purpose which will at the same time be effective, reliable and efficient for the purpose intended.

Another object is the provision of means whereby the machine will not operate to deliver the commodity unless the proper sum in coins is inserted, but will provide for the return of the coins thus improperly deposited.

A further object is to permit the required sum to be deposited by various combinations of coins aggregating the requisite amount, and another object is to provide for the setting or adjustment of the machine to operate for different required sums.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the features, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out r in the claims.

In the drawmgs:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of my improved vending machine.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the yoke.

The invention. is designed for delivering articles at a given price. The price maybe made up of a plurality of units. For mstance, suppose the cost of the article is fixed at 41. The machine will then operate to deliver an article when a quarter, two nickels and six pennies are introduced thereinto.

In the illustration the coin receiver con sists of two plates 9 and 9' spaced apart about the thickness of a coin so that the coins can enter between the plates. Under. certain circumstances hereinafter set forth, the coins will pass between the plates and through the machine if not introduced in proper order.

In the illustration there is provided between the plates three chutes, or receptacles as the case may be, 6, 7 and 8, one for quarters, one for nickels, and one for pennies. The one for quarters 6 is nearest the feed chute 10 through which the coins are intro- 1928. Serial No. 294,144.

duced into the machine. The chute or receptacle 7 for nickels comes next and the chute 8 for pennies comes next and is therefor the most remote from the feed chute. As a result of this arrangement the coins must be introduced in proper order according to size. That is to say, the quarter is first introduced and this lodges in such a position to complete the runway along which the nickels must pass to reach their particular chute or receptacle. As the price is fixed in the illustration to require two nickels the first nickel which is introduced falls to the bottom of the receptacle and the next nickel rests on top of the first and thus completes the runway along which the pennies must travel to get to their chute. As six pennies are used the receptacle for the pennies is so adjusted as to size that the fifth and sixth penny are outside the receptacle proper and the sixth penny is thus positioned to block the space 11 between the lugs 12 with which the coin receiver is provided so that by turning the receiver as a whole this sixth penny will strike the arm 3 and thus turn the yoke 13 and as this yoke is connected as at 14: with delivery mechanism of any suitable construction the delivery of the article will take place. The quarter must be introduced first to block its receptacle or chute so that the nickels will pass over this coin (quarter) and will thereby be directed onward to enter their own chute or receptacle, and the nickels must be introduced next in order to fill their receptacle and block the mouth thereof againstthe entrance thereinto of the pennies. In other words by introducing the quarter first it provides its edge to complete the bottom of the runway so that the nickels can pass along to their chute without dropping into the quarter chute, and the nickel or nickels, when positioned furnish an edge or continuation of the bottom of the run way for the passage of the pennies to their chute. If, however, a nickel is introduced first or a penny first, that is before a quarter is introduced, these coins, penny or nickel, will simply pass down through the quarter chute 6 of the receiver and into a deflecting chute 15 which will direct the erroneously introduced coin back to the customer, because either the penny or the nickel can pass laterally between the pins or projection 16, which are spa to retain only the quarters.

As shown, the receiver is set for one quarter, two nickels, and six pennies, but it will operate with this setting with one quarter, three nickels and one penny, since the third nickel would rest at the top of the penny chute, it being too large to enter. Thus the price of 1193 can be made in two ways for one setting.

The pieces t and 5 can be adjusted to increase the capacity of the receptacles for receiving the desired numbers of coins, to make up the desired value, or these pieces can be reversed in position to close their respective chutes or receptacles so that for instance where nickels and pennies are the only coins needed, then the quarter chute can be blocked by reversing the piece 1 and then the nickels and pennies will pass this receptacle chute. The same is true of the nickel chute. It can be blocked by reversing the piece 5 and fixing it in position at the mouth of the nickel chute.

V'Vhen the receiver is turned upside down, supposing the coins have been properly introduced, then the properly placed coin will operate arm 3 to turn the yoke to work the de livery mechanism and the coins will be discharged from the top of the receptacle now directed downwardly into a drawer A. In doing this turnin upside down tlie yoke 13 bears upon the side of the upstanding plate which is pivoted at C and moves his to the left so that the plate X will then direct the coins into the drawer A. The purpose of the upstanding plate B being movable about its pivot (l is to permit the receiver to be moved through full 180 to be disposed in inverted vertical position for effective discharge of the coins. In addition, however, the deflect ing oi the coins into drawer A is accomplished as above described.

Normally the coins are delivered to drawer A, the special receptacle Y being deflected about its pivot E by spring means released by the moving yoke, but it the yoke is not moved by reason of improper coins being introduced, the receptacle Y is not moved and will therefore receive the coins for return.

If the customer puts in an improper number of coins i. e. supposing a quarter, nickels and pennies are requires and he puts in only the quarter, or the quarter and nickels, but not the pennies, and then turns the receiver upside down, he will get no article delivery, because arm 3 will not be operated. Furthermore, the coins, quarter, or quarter and nickels will be delivered to the special recep tacle Y because the receptacle Y will not be moved since the yoke is not moved, and thus the deflector plate X will remain disposed over the special receptacle Y. H the cus tomcr complrns that he has not gotten deliv' ery, the floor walker or manag by taking out receptacle Y can display to him just the coins that he introduces and thus prove to him that he did not put in the proper amount.

All settings are at least two way because of using nickels and pennies.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 represents the rotary shaft upon which the coin receiver 18 is rigidly mounted. Shaft 1 may be rotated in any suitable way as by hand power or by electric power. Sleeves or bearings 2 surround and are loosely carried on the shaft 1 so that relative rotation may take place bet-ween the shaft 1 and bearings 2. The shaft 1 is cut out on one side as shown at 35 to receive the coin receiver.

The bracket or yoke 18 is mounted rigidly on the bearings 2 and is adapted to the receiver Depending from the yoke or bracket 18 are arms 8 secured by screws 17, the arms being adapted to extend into position opposite the spaces 11 between the lugs 12 at the top of the receiver 18. The arms are adjustable longitudinally of the yoke in a slot 26 in the yoke.

The coin receiver 18 comprises the pair of plates 9 and 9 spaced apart sufficiently to permit the thickest of the coins to pass therebetween. The space between the plates is closed at the ends by strips or segments 19 through which screws or rivets 20 pass to secure the plates together. Other segments 21 and 22 are disposed between the plates and provide slots 6, 7 and 8 and also provide portions of the inclined runway 23 near the top of the receiver, the other portions of the runway being formed by the coins themselves or inverted insert pieces 1- and 5. The top edges of the plates 9 and 9 above the runway are serrated or provided with lugs 1.2 having spaces 11 therebetween. The lugs 12 on one of the plates are extended upwardly and are provided with holes 241 for the reception of pins or screws 25.

The receiver 18 is provided with. a feed chute 10 at one end thereof into which all coins are deposited to be delivered to the liigl'ier end 01" the inclined runway 28. The feed chute 10 extends beyond or above the yoke 13 and is adapted to engage the same as shown at -3. The slots or receptacles 6 and 7 are open at their lower or discharge ends to permit the discharge of the coins from the receiver when too small coins are erroneously inserted.

Removable stop pieces 4, 5 and 5 are dis posed in the slots 6, 7 and 8 and are adjustable longitudinally thereot by means of slots 27 28 and 29 in which screws 30 connected to the stop pieces are guided and may be clamped.

Pins 16 forming retaining walls for the proper coins, are provided within the slots or chutes and holes 32 are provided in registration with the pins for the purpose of enabling the operator to set the adjustment pieces or ion;

plates d, 5 and 5. The pins are spaced to permit passage of a coin of less diameter than that :tor which the respective receptacles are designed.

The receiver is open at its top above the runway and the coins in passing down the runway project above the upper edge and may be positioned to close the spaces 11 between the lugs 12.

The machine is adapted to operate to deliver the article or commodity when there is a coin closing a space 11 opposite to an arm 3 so that the rotation of the receiver, by opera ting an electric switch to electrically turn the shaft 1 or in any other suitable manner, will effect a corresponding rotation of the yoke 13. The yoke 13 has an arm 3 1 to which connections leading to the article or commodity delivery mechanism are attached at 14,-, and upon rotation of the receiver and yoke the article is delivered. The yoke is held normally in. upright position on the shaft 1 by its connection with the delivery mechanism.

The rotation is through 180 degrees and when completed the receiver and yoke are upside down. When the yoke is rotated by the receiver it moves the receptacle Y and it engages and moves the plate B to permit complete inversion of the receiver to vertical position, and partially deflects chute X away from receptacle Y, about pivot C, so that the coins will fall out of the runway of the receiver and will. be discharged into drawer A, thus depositing the price for the commodity.

Preferably a lever D is provided connected with the receptacle Y, by a link G. The lever I) is pivoted at H and is controlled by spring K and hooked rod L. Rod L is pivoted to the lever D at M and is hooked over a pin N- on the yoke so that movement of the yoke with the receiver will permit the spring to act to tilt the receptacle Y out of the way. In this way the receptacle Y would be tilted one way and the chute X the other way, to insurethe coins dropping into drawer A and not into receptacle Y. The receptacle Y would be returned to normal position against the action of spring K by return of the yoke to upright position.

The coins are delivered into receptacle Y when the yoke is not actuated, by reason of the improper amount of coins being placed in the receiver. These erroneously deposited coins are returned to the customer.

lvhere is also a direct return to the customer, prior to rotation of the receiver, when too small coins are inserted first, in which case the coins will pass by the pins 16 and will drop directly out of receptacles 6 and 7 into return chute 15.

Thus two means of returning improperly inserted coins to the customer are provided.

Any suitable means may be provided for returning the receiver to upright position after its inversion through 180, such as spring means, or positive electric means, the receiver in being returned to upright position retracing its 180 path of rotation and the feed chute projecting beyond the yoke engages it at 33 and returns it to upright poment pieces 4t and 5 are inverted so as to close the openings to receptacles 6 and 7 and an arm 3 is moved opposite the space 11 at the lowermost end of the runway. Then either a nickel or live pennies may be used, the last or litth cent inserted acting to form the connection between the receiver and yoke arm, and it the nickel is used it acts to term the connections l cause it cannot enter the penny chute because of its too great diameter.

It the price a quarter the quarter chute to be closed and an arm 3 set opposite the uppermost space 11, and a pin or screw is placed in the top hole at a. This would arrest a quarter in position to work arm 3. The other arm 3 would be placed opposite the lowermost space 11 (thus the provision of at least two arms 3 desirable) and five nickels could be inserted, the "fourth filling the nickel chute and the fifth resting a the top of the penny chute. With this same setting tour nickeisand five pennies may be used as is readily apparent.

if the price nine cents the quarter and nickel chutes are closed and an arm set a the uppermost space 11 and then either nine pennies may be inserted to operate the device or a nickel and tour pennies may be used.

Every price can he arrived at in two ways by properly setting the apparatus. In other words for a certain setting of the apparatus for a certain price that price can be made up by two diiierent combinations of coins. Numerous three way settings can be secured.

The penny receptacle may be provided with marks at Z on the exterior wall thereof to indicate the position to which the adjustable block or bottom of the said receptacle may be set to hold the desired numbers of pennies. Similar marks may be provided at the other chutes in place of the sight holes 32.

The receptacles 'an be adjusted as to their capacity. They can be closed. The arms 3 can be adjusted to different positions and the groups of openings 2s provide for various settings ot-pins to arrest coins in the runway as may be desired. In this apparatus the be inserted according to size, the big coin first.

wi l be understood that the embodiment of the invention shown is merely illustrative and that many modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention and without departing therefrom in the slightest d." z'ree, such as the provision of a. different l ber of coin chutes or receptacles provided witii or without retaining pins, a different number of arms 3 and a diiferent number of pins in the lugs 12.

Figure 2 is of diagrammatic character and is not intended to illustrate exact proportions or relations of the parts. For instance, l have shown the spring P as representative of any csircd means forreturning the receiver to upright position.

I claim:

1. In com ination in a coin operated app: 'atus, a IO'r y shaft, means for rotating said shaft, a coin receiver mounted rigidly on shaft, a yoke loosely carried by said shaft and normally disposed above said shaft,

mit of the receiver past the arms, a o. means whereby a coin or coins may be close said spaces and connect the yoke to move with the receiver.

2. in coin controlled apparatus, a coin receiver comprising a pair of plates spaced apart to permit t ie passage of coins therebetween, said receiver having a feed chute at one end of the upper edge thereof, and a coin receiving runway in the upper edge thereof and in communication with said feed chute, the walls of said runway having transverse apart-i cs therein, said apertures being adapted to be blocked by coins, said receiver havin coin receiving chutes therein communica with said runway and extending downlly therein, said chutes being open at r lower ends, and series of pins in said receiver chutes, said pins forming coin receptacles for various sizes of coins.

A coin receiver for coin controlled apprratus comprisin a pair of plates spaced C: to pc iit the passage of coins thereceu, partitions and pins in said receiver n said plates at cerpoints and ng said space to form coin teed slot coiun'iunicating with the upper end of an inclined coin runway at the upper edge of the receiver, downwardly disposed coin receptacles closed at their lower ends nd communicating with said runway at their upper ends, downwardly disposed coin chutes disposed adjacent to said receptacles and communicating therewith between pins forming one wall of each of said recur tacles, said chutes being open at their lower ends.

4-. A Jparatus according to claim 3 in which said receptacles are closed by insert pieces adjustably mounted in said receiver for movement longitudinally of the receptacles to adjust the capacity of said receptacles, said insert pieces being adapted to be inverted and adjusted to position to close the communication between said receptacles and runway and to form a part of said runway.

5. in combination in a coin controlled apparatus, a rotary shaft, a coin receiver rigidly supported on said shaft, a yoke having bearings in which said shaft is turnable,

rms depending from said yoke and overlapping the upper edge of the receiver, said arms being adjustable along said yoke, said upper edge of the receiver having spaces therein with which said arms are adapted to be ali 'ncd to permit passage of the receiver past the arms, means whereby a coin may c inserted to close said spaces to connect t u, to move with the receiver, means on each yoke for connection to article delivery apparatus, means for rotating said shaft to invert said coin receiver, and to re turn it to upright position, said receiver bci adapted to engage said yoke to return it to upright position, and means adapted to be operated by said yoke when it is inverted with. the receiver by reason of the interposition of a coin, to a position for collecting the price in coins of the article delivered, said coins being delivered from the top of the coin receiver.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which said coin collecting means comprises a coin receiving drawer, a pivotally mounted delivery chute adjacent said drawer and disposed above the same, a coin return receptaclc, said delivery chute being normally disposed in delivery relation to said return receptacle, said delivery chute having a portion extending thcrefroi'i'i into position to e engaged by said yoke when the same is inverted with the receiver to deflect the said chute about its pivot and cause it to deliver into the said coin collecting drawer, said chute when not deflected by said yoke by reason of the yoke not being inverted though the receiver is inverted, discharging any coins delivered to it from the inverted receiver into the coin return receptacle.

'Z. in combination in a coin operated mechanisn'i, a rotary shaft, a coin receiver rigidly supported on said shaft, a yoke having bearings in which said shaft is turnable, means whereby a coin will form a connection between said yoke and receiver, to cause the yoke to be rotated with the receiver, means on said yoke for connection to article delivery apparatus, means for rotating said shaft to invert the receiver and to return it j u; i position, receiver being adapted to engage said yoke to return it to upright position, direct coin return means adapted to receive coins erroneously deposited and discharged from the bottom of the receiver, a coin collecting drawer, a pivotally mounted delivery chute adjacent said dra ver and disposed above the same, a coin return receptacle, said delivery chute being normally disposed in delivery relation to said return receptacle, said chute being adapted to be engaged by said yoke when the yoke inverted with the receiver to deflect the chute about its pivot and cause'it to deliver into said coin collecting drawer, said chute when not deflected by said yoke by reason of the yoke not being inverted with the receiver, discharging any coins delivered to it from the top of the inverted receiver into the coin return receptacle.

8. In coin controlled apparatus, a movable receiver having an inclined runway at its upper part, with coin receptacles with their axes disposed downwardly at different points along and con'nnunicating at their upper ends with the bottom of said runway, said receptacles being of different widths to receive different diameter coins and arranged in order according to the different diameters of coins and with the receptacle of greater width at the entrance end of the runway, a member movably mounted and having an arm adjacent the runway to be contacted by the coin 1 st introduced and resting in said inclined runway for moving said member when the receiver is moved, said coin connecting the receiver to the member arm, said member having a connection to operate article delivery mechanism, substantially as described.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the coin receptacle or receptacles has a parallel. coextensive relief passage communieating laterally therewith for a coin of smaller size than that intended therefor.

10. in a coin operated apparatus, a rotary receiver havinga plurality of receptacles for coins of different character and having a runway at its top communicating with said receptacles, a member movably mounted and having plurality of arms adjustable along said runway, and stop means adjustable relative to said runway to arrest a coin of a certain diameter and permit the passage of coins of smaller diameter, an arm being contactcd by a coin to transmit the movement'of the receiver to move the said member.

11. In combination in coin controlled apparatus, a movable coin receiver having a plurality of receptacles for coins of different denominations and arranged in order according to the diameter of the coins with the one for the larger diameter coin first, a runway on the receiver for directing the coins to the receptacles, a member having means for connection with article delivery mechanism, a

plurality of contacts on said member, one of said contacts being actuated by a coin of one denomination and the other contact being operated by a coin of a differentdenomination, the coin in at least one instance being one of sev ral introduced to make up the total of the purchase price.

12. In apparatus according to claim 11, said contacts being adjustable on said memher to cooperate with different receptacles.

13. In combination in coin controlled apparatus, a movable coin receiver having a runway for coins and a plurality of receptacles communicating therewith, said receptacles being of different widths to receive coins of different diameter with the receptacle of greater width nearest the entrance end of said runway and with the other receptacle or receptacles following in order according to the width thereof, a contact member, to be engaged by a coin and moved when the receiver is moved, and stop means adjustable in relation to the runway to arrest a coin in position to engage the said contact, and a connection leading from the contact to operate article delivery means, substantially as described. I

14. In combination in coin controlled apparatus, a movable coin receiver having a runway for coins with coin receptacles communicating therewith, the receptacle for the larger diameter coin being nearer to the entrance end of the runway than the receptacle forcoins of lesser diameter, contact means adjustable along the runway to cooperate with the coins at the different receptacles, and stop means adjust-able in relation to the runway and to said contact means to arrest coins in the said runway, substantially as described.

15. In apparatus of the class described, a. movable receiver having a coin runway with receptacles for coins communicating therewith, and a member for closing a. receptacle for the passage of coins tliereover to the next receptacle, and means to contact with the coin last introduced and while said last coin is in the receiver for transmitting movement of the receiver to delivery mechanism.

16. In combination, a coin receiver having a runway, a plurality of receptacles communicating therewith, means for determining the number of coins which will enter the re ceptacles, adjustable means to control the passage of coins along the runway, and ad justable means to contact with the coins at different parts of the runway and to be moved by contact with a coin when the receiver is moved, substantially as described.

17. In apparatus of the class described, a receiver having downwardly disposed coin receptacles therein and are inclined runway in communication with the receptacles, and means of adjustment to operate with various combinations of coins and effective only when the coins are introduced in the proper numher according to size, the larger diameter coin first, the last coin introduced serving by reason of the coins previously introduced, as means for transmitting movements from said receiver to article delivery mechanism.

18. In combination, a receiver having a runway, with receptacles spaced along said run way, the one nearest the entrance end of said runway being adapted in size to take quarters only, the next adapted to take nickels only, and the next to take pennies only, means for, at will, closing the quarter or the nickel receptacle, changeable stop means for arresting coins along the runway, and means adjustable along the runway for transmitting movement of the receiver through the last coin inserted, substantially as described.

19. In combination, a receiver having a runway, receptacles for coins of different diameters spaced apart along and communicating with the runway, the receptacle for larger diameter coins bein nearest the inlet to the runway, a stop at the end of the runway, receptacle closing means, contact means adjustable along the runway to be contacted by the last coin for transmitting movement from the receiver to delivery mechanism.

20. In combination, a movable receiver adapted to receive a plurality of coins making up the price, article delivery actuating means engaged and operated by the last inserted coin when the receiver is moved, said means not being engaged by said coin and remain ing idle upon movement of the receiver when the improper number of coins is in the receiver, means to which the proper amount of coins are delivered when the receiver is moved, and other means for receiving the improper number of coins when the receiver is moved in the same direction, said latter means segregating the deficient amount of coins so that they may be returned to the customer, substantially as described.

21. In combination a rotary receiver for coins of different denominations, means operable by the movement of the receiver when the proper number of coins making up the price is present in the receiver, a receptacle into which the proper number of coins is delivered, and a second receptacle into which an improper number of coins is delivered when said receiver is operated, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

ELMER E. SEIDEL. 

